The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator has debunked claims that the government directed Members of Parliament (MP) Common Fund to finance the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).

He emphasised that the government of Ghana solely procured the heavy-duty equipment for the project which is aimed at enhancing road infrastructure.

He was speaking at Dambai during the commissioning of the equipment allocated to the Oti Region.

“Which money from the MP's common fund was used to procure these? We [the government] have released every MP's Common Fund to every MP across the 275 constituencies in the country.

“So it is a big lie that anybody will stand anywhere and say that this project was funded by the MPs Common Fund. You need to know, Ghanaians need to know that this government thinks about Ghanaians. We believe so much that improved access to the roads in our communities will improve the socioeconomic activities in our areas”, he said.

He added that DRIP, a brainchild of President Akufo-Addo with the support of Dr. Bawumia was designed to provide road construction machines to MMDAs to improve road infrastructure,

Mr. Machator said it would among other things enhance accessibility, address food insecurity, create jobs, and ultimately contribute to improving local economies.

He said each of the 8 Municipal and District Assemblies in his jurisdiction would receive one tipper truck, one backroll, two concrete mixers, one roller, one bulldozer, one motor grader, and one pick-up vehicle under DRIP.

Mr. Machator added that assemblies would also be provided 50 trips each of sand and stone, and 20 drums for the storage of fuel.

“We shall also make available for all district assemblies funds that will help us embark on this project. By so doing the district assemblies will be required to buy some cement, iron rods and what have you.

“The Oti Regional Coordinating Council shall also receive a payloader, a low bed, and an excavator. These are equipment that the district assemblies wouldn't be using very frequently so anytime they require the services of these three machines, they will apply to the Regional Coordinating Council and we will make them available for their use”, he said.

The Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, Charles Gyamfi Boateng said the project would enable the assemblies to efficiently deliver their core mandate of development.

The JA Plant Pool team, together with the 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, are partners of DRIP, dedicated to ensuring that the equipment serves its purpose effectively and efficiently.

The equipment are expected to be put to use is shaping deplorable roads across the Oti Region in earnest.